Abstract

Nerve-sparing laparoscopic surgery is a minimally-invasive operation to remove the malignant tumor with preserving neurological functions. In particular, nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy and proctectomy have contributed to maintaining urinary function because many nerves are placed in pelvic region. A surgeon easily identifies and preserves relatively-thick nerves, such as neurovascular bundle and cavernous nerve. However, small and almost colorless nerves which also play an important role in urinary function are often overlooked because the discrimination of these nerves is difficult under human eyes or conventional endoscopy using visible light sources. Therefore, an imaging tool for detection of nerves has been desired to improve the recovery rate of urinary function.

© 2017 Japan Society of Applied Physics, Optical Society of America